Magnetic toy, trick, game and educational device



Feb. 28, 1967 J. A. WEISBECKER MAGNETIC TOY, TRICK, GAME AND EDUCATIONAL DEVICE Filed Aug. 28, 1964 2 Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR. J05PH A. WE/SBECKER Feb. 28, 1967 J. A. WEISBECKER 3,305,967

MAGNETIC TOY, TRICK, GAME AND EDUCATIONAL DEVICE Filed Aug. 28, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOSEPH A. WE/SBEC/(E/Z United States Patent Ofllice Patented Feb. 28, 1967 3,305,967 MAGNETIC TOY, TRICK, GAME AND EDUCATIONAL DEVICE Joseph A. Weisbecker, 1220 Wayne Ave., Erlton, Cherry Hill, NJ. 08034 Filed Aug. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 392,707 8 Claims. (Cl. 46--238) This invention relates generally to a device of unique construction adaptable for use as a toy, magic trick, game, or for educational purposes.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a device of the type described wherein an indicator is movable between plural positions responsive to the movement of an actuator, which operation may be utilized in the playing of games, performance of tricks, and for educational purposes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the type described which effectively conceals the principle of operation to prevent usage other than as intended, say to take unfair advantage.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is extremely simple in construction and operation, so as to be durable and entirely reliable throughout a long useful life and capable of economic manufacture for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of an actuator in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating construction of the remainder of the device of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view taken through the device of the present invention in an operative condition of use, say along line 3-3 of FIGURE FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view showing the assembled device of the present invention, partly broken away for clarity of understanding, and illustrating an initial condition in the operational cycle;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view similar to FIG- URE 4, but showing an intermediate condition of the operational cycle; and

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view similar to FIG- URES 4 and 5, but showing a final condition of the operational cycle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURE 1 thereof, the actuator is there generally designated 10, and may include a pair of generally congruent, substantially rectangular outer sheets or cards 11 and 12. The outer sheets may be provided with any desired indicia or marking, as at 13 on the outer surface of sheet 11. An intermediate sheet 14 may also be of generally rectangular outline configuration, similar to that of the outer sheets and formed therein with a through opening 15. The opening 15 is located in'the lower right-hand corner of the intermediate sheet 14, as seen in FIGURE 1, spaced inward from the bounding edges thereof; and, a plate 16 of magnetically permeable material is configured for conforming engagement in the opening 15. With the magnetically permeable plate 16 received in the opening 15, the sheet 14 and plate 16 are sandwiched between the sheets 11 and 12, as by adhesive securement to the outer sheets. The actuator 10 thus defines a single card, as seen in FIGURE 3, with the plate 16 entirely concealed therein to preclude location of the plate by an observer.

In practice, a plurality of actuator cards are provided, which cards may have distinctive indicia marked thereon. The several actuator cards may be substantially identical, except that certain of the cards are constructed with the sandwiched magnetic plate in the lower left-hand region rather than the lower right-hand region, for purposes appearing presently.

The actuator card 10 is shown in FIGURE 3 as engaged in a housing or support structure 20. The construction of the housing or support is best seen in FIG- URE 2 as including a base 21 adapted to rest upon a suitable supporting surface, and an upstanding forwardly opening boxlike structure 22 on the base. The boxlike structure 22 includes a generally horizontal bottom wall 23 on the base 21, and a pair of upstanding sidewalls 24 and 25 extending upwardly from opposite ends of the bottom wall 23 and obliquely away from each other. A top wall 26 extends across and between the upper ends of the side walls 24 and 25. Thus, the outline configuration of boxlike structure 22 is that of an isosceles trapezoid. A back wall 27 of similar isosceles-trapezoidal configuration extends across and closes the back of the boxlike structure. The forward edge of the top wall 26 is recessed or cut away, as at 28, for a purpose appearing presently.

A front wall 29 is secured by any suitable means in closing relation with the front of the boxlike structure 22, being of similar isosceles-trapezoidal configuration, and is advantageously provided with a centrally located through opening or window 30. Extending across a lower region of the housing or support 20, generally horizontally between the back and front walls 27 and 29 may be a pivot pin 31. The pivot pin 31 is advantageously located medially between the side walls 24 and 25, directly below the window 30.

, Interiorly within the housing or support 20 is located an indicator, generally designated 35. The indicator 35 is generally flat or platelike and of elongate configuration having generally parallel side edges 36 and 37. Formed in a lower region of the indicator 35, spaced medially between the side edges 36 and 37 may be a through opening 38 rotatably receiving the pivot pin 31. Thus, the indicator 35 is pivotally mounted at a lower region thereof within the housing 20 for swinging movement therein.

More particularly, as the indicator 35 is pivoted about a lower region of itself, the center of gravity is above the horizontal pivotal axis 31 and the indicator tends to fall into one or the other of gravitationally stable positions shown in FIGURES 4 and 6. In FIGURE 4, it will be observed that the side edge 37 of indicator 35 rests against the side wall 24 of the housing 20, while the stable position of FIGURE 6, the side edge of the indicator 36 rests against housing side wall 25. Thus, the housing side walls 24 and 25 serve as stop means limiting indicator movement to the extreme, stable positions of FIGURES 4 and 6.

Embedded in the indicator 35, at a location above the pivotal axis 31 and centrally between the side edges 36 and 37 of the indicator is a magnet 40. The magnet 40 may be completely encompassed within the indicator 35, or exposed on the rear side thereof, preferably being concealed from the front of the indicator, as best seen in FIGURE 3.

It will also there be observed that the indicator 35 is disposed proximate to the rear housing wall 27, say in facing engagement with the latter, and of a thickness less than the internal dimension of the housing 20 so as to be spaced from the front housing wall 29. The upper edges of the indicator 35 are advantageously beveled, as at 41 and 42, intersecting to define a meeting edge 43 extending obliquely upward and rearward from the front face of the indicator toward the rear face thereof.

The spacing between the indicator 35 and the front housing wall 2% is sufficient to permit reception therebetween of the actuator card 10. Thus, the actuator card may be inserted downwardly through the opening or slot 28 along the inner face of front wall 29 and between the front wall and indicator 35 to the condition shown in FIGURE 3. The beveied upper indicator edges 41 and 42, and meeting edge 43 facilitate engagement of the actuator card 10 between the indicator and front housing wall.

In the absence of the actuator card 10 in the housing 20, the indicator is visible through the window 30. Further, different portions of the front face of the indicator are visible through the window 30 when the indicator is in its different stable positions. These different portions of the indicator 35 on the front face thereof may be provided with distinctive marking, as at 45 and 46 respectively visible through the window 30 in the conditions of FIGURES 4 and 6.

In operation, say from the rest position of indicator 35 in FIGURE 4, the the actuator card 10 may be inserted downward through the slot 23 to the position shown in FIGURE 5. Magnetic attraction between the plate 16 of actuator 10 and magnet 40 of indicator 35 causes the indicator to swing from its stable position of FIG- URE 4 to that of FIGURE 6. Hence, while marking A was originally visible through window 30, upon removal of actuator 10, as shown in FIGURE 6, marking B is now exposed through the window. During the swinging or shifting movement of indicator 35 between it positions of FIGURES 4 and 6, the indicator is hidden or obscured by location of. the actuator 10 in closing relation with the window 30. The actuator indicia 13 may be exposed through the window upon insertion of the actuator. Of course, subsequent insertion of an actuator card having a magnetically permeable plate in the lower left-hand corner will effect return of the indicator 35 to its original position.

In addition to the concealed movement of indicator 35, described above, serving to change the exposed marking of the indicator and present the effect of magic, the subject device may be utilized as a game in a variety of different ways.

For example, the markings 45 and 46 may be of different colors, or differently colored pictures of animals, or other. A plurality of actuator cards 10 consisting of an equal number of both types would be provided and randomly distributed to the players for alternate engagement in the housing 20. A player correctly guessing the indicator marking to be exposed upon withdrawal of the actuator card wins this card, and the winner of the most cards wins the game. Also, the hereinbefore described device may be employed in conjunction with a variety of board games, if desired.

Obviously, the subject device may also be employed for educational purposes. For example, a plurality of actuator cards of both types may be imprinted with questions and two possible answers designated A and B. If answer A is correct, the plate will be loacted in a particular corner of the actuator card, say the righthand corner. If B is correct, the plate will be located in the left-hand corner of the actuator card. The indicator marking exposed following the insertion of an actuator card will then indicate which of the two answers is correct. If both positive and negative indications of a correct choice are desired, two devices may be provided each corresponding to one of the possible answers.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a device for use as a toy, trick, or for educational purposes, which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device of the class described comprising a sup port, an indicator mounted on said support for move ment along a first path in opposite directions between a plurality of stable positions, first magnetic means carried by said indicator for movement with said indicator be tween said plurality of positions, and an actuator engageable with said support for movement relative thereto along a second path in a direction transversely across said first path, and second magnetic means carried by said actuator for movement therewith transversely across said path and offset from said first magnetic means to magnetically effect movement of said indicator between said positions.

2. A device of the class described comprising a support, an indicator mounted on said support for movement along a first path between a plurality of positions, first magnetic means carried by said indicator, an actuator engageable with said support for movement relative thereto along a second path, and second magnetic means carried by said actuator and cooperating with said first magnetic means upon actuator movement to effect movement of said indicator between said positions, said sup port comprising a housing substantially enclosing said indicator and having a window affording visual access to the different portions of the indicator at respective positions thereof, said indicator having different markings on said different portions for exposure through said window.

3. A device according to claim 2, said actuator being slidable in said housing across said window to obscure said indicator during movement thereof.

4. A device according to claim 3, said actuator being provided with markings exposed through said window during actuator movement.

5. A device of the class described comprising a housing, an upstanding indicator in said housing, pivot means in said housing at a lower region of said indicator and mounting the latter for swinging movement in said housing, stop means in said housing and engageable with said indicator to limit the latter to swinging movement between a plurality of stable positions, first magnetic means carried by said indicator, an actuator engageable with said housing for movement relative thereto along a path across the path of indicator movement, and second magnetic means carried by said actuator and cooperating with said first magnetic means upon actuator movement to effect movement of said indicator between said positions.

6. A device according to claim 5, said actuator being slidable up and down in said housing.

7. A device according to claim 5, said housing having a window affording visual access to different portions of the indicator at respective positions thereof, said indicator having different markings on said different portions for exposure through said window, and said actuator being slidable in said housing across said window to obscure said indicator during movement thereof.

8. A device according to claim 7, said actuator being provided with markings exposed through said window during actuator movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 618,969 2/ 1899 Williams 46-236 3,127,176 3/1964 Ryan 273-139 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. F. BARRY SHAY, R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING A SUPPORT, AN INDICATOR MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT ALONG A FIRST PATH IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF STABLE POSITIONS, FIRST MAGNETIC MEANS CARRIED BY SAID INDICATOR FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID INDICATOR BETWEEN SAID PLURALITY OF POSITIONS, AND AN ACTUATOR ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO ALONG A SECOND PATH IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSELY ACROSS SAID FIRST PATH AND SECOND MAGNETIC MEANS CARRIED BY SAID ACTUATOR FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH TRANSVERSELY ACROSS SAID PATH AND OFFSET FROM SAID FIRST MAGNETIC MEANS TO MAGNETICALLY EFFECT MOVEMENT OF SAID INDICATOR BETWEEN SAID POSITIONS. 